Before the recent trade deadline, rumors circulated linking the Milwaukee Bucks with former Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas, fueled by reports from Mike Scotto of HoopsHype. While Thomas’s contract details have not been officially disclosed, it’s typical that post-deadline signings occur at the veteran’s minimum, approximately $905,000 for the remainder of the season. The Bucks are in a good position to utilize the minimum salary exception to bring him on board, which would place the cap hit closer to $846,000. Following the waiving of Nigel Hayes-Davis after a brief stint in Milwaukee, the Bucks now have an open roster spot to accommodate Thomas.
The 24-year-old guard, previously selected 27th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, spent four and a half seasons with the Nets. He was initially recognized for his scoring abilities during the later stages of the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era, and ultimately became Brooklyn’s leading scorer in the 2023-2024 season with an average of 22.5 points per game, though his shooting percentage was less efficient. However, injury struggles hindered his performance last season, limiting him to just 24 appearances and with consistent issues affecting his minutes.
Reports indicated that Thomas did not garner any multiyear offers during the previous offseason and ultimately accepted a qualifying offer that allows him to veto trades until 2025-26. In recent games, his performance had seen a decline, with averages of 15.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists over 24 games played this season.
While the Bucks had also discussed potential trades involving Thomas and the Cleveland Cavaliers, those negotiations did not lead to any outcomes, leading to Brooklyn waiving him shortly after the trade deadline. Thomas expressed his enthusiasm about the move to Milwaukee, indicating he is ready to provide elite scoring and playmaking to the team.
Milwaukee still has approximately $3 million left on its room exception for the current season, which could potentially allow them to outbid other interested teams for Thomas’s services, though a minimum contract appears most likely given mutual interest. Furthermore, his contract structure may allow the Bucks the possibility of securing him at a non-Bird rate, limiting any potential raises in his next deal.
Adding a scorer of Thomas’s caliber is perceived as a beneficial move for the Bucks, who are currently on a three-game winning streak. Despite their 21-29 record, they are only 2.5 games behind Charlotte for the Eastern Conference’s final play-in position, suggesting a meaningful opportunity for improvement as they look to solidify their playoff ambitions.
However, while Thomas is known primarily for his scoring, there are concerns about his defensive capabilities and player dynamics, particularly given Giannis Antetokounmpo’s previous comments about team selfishness. Thomas will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, seeking to boost his value after a challenging stint in Brooklyn.
Additionally, the future of other players within the Bucks roster remains a topic of discussion. There was speculation about the potential conversion of Pete Nance from a two-way contract to a standard deal, as the team seeks to optimize roster spots ahead of future engagements.
Overall, Thomas’s arrival in Milwaukee adds an intriguing element to their roster, highlighting both the potential for immediate scoring contributions and the strategic considerations of his future with the team as they navigate their playoff aspirations.